By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
Police used tear gas to disperse protesters at the Lekki Tollgate, a site marked by past conflicts during the 2020 anti-police brutality protests.
The demonstration, part of a nationwide protest against the rising cost of living, saw participants march through Lagos, including areas like Ikeja and Ojota. Authorities had warned against gathering at the tollgate, noting it wasn’t an approved protest location. A court order from the Lagos State High Court restricted demonstrations to designated areas like Peace Park and Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park.
Meanwhile, similar scenes unfolded in Abuja, where police also used tear gas to control crowds. The protests come amid growing discontent following the government’s removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows in 2023, which has led to soaring inflation.